Donut shaped sanding disk

ABSTRACT

A sandpaper disk is formed having an exterior diameter and a central open area forming a ring shaped sandpaper disk. This is attached to a random orbital sander by an interface pad which separates the sandpaper disk from the surface of the sanding pad. The interface pad has a ring shape which corresponds in size to that of the sandpaper.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is related to application Ser. No. 60/354,028 filed Feb. 1, 2002 entitled DONUT SHAPED SANDING DISK now pending.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Random orbital sanders act by moving the central axis of the sander in a circular motion as opposed to simply spinning a disk which is used for many rotary sanders such as the type one might attach to one's drill. Random orbital sanders frequently have a vacuum source attached to central portions of the pad to pull in dust and keep this from the surface being sanded. Even with a vacuum source there is a tendency for material to accumulate on the center portion of the pad which decreases pad life, reduces sanding efficiency and causes swirl marks on the sanded surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention is premised on the realization that one can improve the sanding efficiency of random orbital sanders by utilizing a donut shaped sandpaper disk, in other words, one which covers only the peripheral portion of the sanding pad. The central portion of the sander is preferably open to allow for accumulation of dust.

[0004] Further, the present invention utilizes an annular interface pad along the outer peripheral portion of the random orbital sander. This interface pad attaches to the sanding pad. In turn, a sandpaper ring attaches to the interface pad. This structure extends sandpaper life and pad life, improves sanding efficiency and reduces swirl marks caused by the disk.

[0005] The present invention will be further appreciated in light of the following detailed description and drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the present invention.

[0007]FIG. 1A is an exploded view showing an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of a sander.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, there is a random orbital sander 11 which includes a circular pad surface 12. The pad surface 12 includes a plurality of vacuum holes 14 designed to communicate with a vacuum source to remove dust during sanding. Generally the surface of the pad will have a hook-type plastic material similar to Velcro brand material which is adapted to engage a pile material.

[0010] Attached to the surface 12 of the sanding pad 15 is an annular interface ring or pad 16. The interface pad 16 has an inner 17 and outer 18 diameter. The inner diameter is large enough to expose the vacuum holes 14 in the pad 15. The outer diameter 18 is about equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the pad 15.

[0011] Generally this interface pad will have a thickness of from {fraction (1/16)}″ to ¾″ or more. Preferably it will be ⅛″ to ¾″ thick. This separates the plane of the sanding disk from the plane of the center of the sanding pad. The interface pad 16 can be made from a variety of materials but is preferably foam rubber. The durometer of the interface pad 16 can vary from 20 to 90 durometer depending on the desired sanding activity. Although less preferred, the interface pad can be part of the sanding pad or permanently attached to the sanding pad.

[0012] The inner surface 21 of the interface pad 16 is a pile material which attaches to the hook material of the sanding pad surface 12. The outer surface 22 of the interface pad in turn is a hook material.

[0013] Attached to the interface pad is an annular sandpaper ring 24 which has an internal diameter 25 preferably about equal to the internal diameter of the interface pad and an exterior diameter 26 approximately equal to the external diameter of the interface pad. Likewise this sanding ring 24 has an inner surface 27 which is a pile material. It is adapted to firmly attach to the hook material of the interface pad 16 and of course its outer surface 28 is an abrasive material. The abrasive material can vary depending upon the desired sanding activity.

[0014] In this application the hook and pile materials can be replaced with a pressure sensitive adhesive. But this is less preferred.

[0015] The sanding disk is a sandpaper disk which is very flexible and adapted to bend when the interface pad bends.

[0016] In operation the interface pad is attached to the pad of the random orbital sander. This leaves the vacuum holes exposed and leaves an open area in the inner portion of the interface pad. A sanding ring 24 would is attached to the pile surface of the interface pad 16 and the apparatus would be ready for sanding. Typically with a random orbital sander, the entire surface of the sanding disk is placed against the product being sanded. Thus, as dust is produced, it is sucked up through the vacuum holes and does not accumulate in the center portion of the disk.

[0017] In the drawings, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict a sanding ring 24 with a wavy edge. This facilitates sanding internal radiused surfaces. FIG. 1A shows a straight edge disk 24 a to be used in attachment with a straight edge interface paid 16 a. Either can be used.

[0018] The width of the sandpaper ring, i.e., the difference between ID and OD is usually about one-sixth to one-half and preferably about one-third the size of the OD. But this can vary as long as vacuum holes in the sanding disk are exposed and sufficient sandpaper is provided to effectively sand a surface. An inch to an inch and a half for a 6″ disk is adequate.

[0019] Utilization of the sanding disk of the present invention along with the interface pad has a number of different advantages. Since one changes the interface pad, one can vary the thickness depending upon the desired operation. This also increases the life of the sandpaper or sanding disk and avoids forming swirls on the sanded surface which are caused by dust accumulated in the center portion of a standard disk.

[0020] Further, the interface pad is relatively inexpensive compared to the pad of the sander. Since the sandpaper is placed on and removed from the interface pad as opposed to the sanding disk, wear on the sanding disk is reduced. The interface pad can be cheaply and easily replaced whereas the sanding disk would be much more expensive. Further because one can easily change the interface pad, one can change the softness or hardness of the pad depending on desired application without the need to change sanders or the pad on the sander.

[0021] Particularly with an external radius surface, this significantly improves sanding efficiency. Since many different hole patterns are used for different sanders requiring stocking different materials, the present invention eliminates this concern.

[0022] This also increases the efficacy of the vacuum, reduces sanding time and improves the efficiency of the sanding surface.

[0023] In an alternate embodiment of the present invention instead of using an interface pad, one could modify the sanding pad of the sander wherein the central portion is removed or milled out providing a flat or concave, indented area. However, this is less preferred as it does not have all of the advantages of using the interface pad.

[0024] This has been a brief description of the present invention along with the preferred method of practicing the present invention. 

However, the invention itself should be defined by the appended claims wherein I claim:
 1. A random orbital sander having a sanding pad, an interface ring attached to said pad; said ring having a central open portion and exterior edge extending around the peripheral edge of said sanding pad, a sandpaper ring attached to said interface ring said sandpaper ring having an inner open diameter corresponding to the central open portion of said interface ring.
 2. The random orbital sander claimed in claim 1 wherein said interface ring is separable from said sanding pad.
 3. The random orbital sander claimed in claim 2 wherein said interface ring has an inner diameter defining said central open area and an outer diameter and wherein a distance from said inner diameter to said outer diameter is about ⅙th to about ½0 of said outer diameter.
 4. The random orbital sander claimed in claim 2 wherein said interface ring is from {fraction (1/16)}th″ to ¾″ thick.
 5. The random orbital sander claimed in claim 4 wherein said interface ring has the hardness of 20-90 durometer.
 6. In combination, a sandpaper ring and an interface pad said interface pad adapted to attach to a sanding pad of a sander said sandpaper ring and said interface pad each having inner and outer diameters said inner diameters defining a central open area.
 7. The combination claimed in claim 6 wherein said interface pad and said sandpaper ring each having a width equal to the distance from said inner diameters to said outer diameters and wherein said widths are from ⅙th to about ½ of said outer diameters.
 8. The combination claimed in claim 7 wherein said interface pad is from about {fraction (1/16)}th″ to about ¾″ thick.
 9. The combination claimed in claim 8 wherein said interface pad has a hardness of 20 to 90 durometers.
 10. A sandpaper ring adapted to attach to a pad of a sander said sandpaper ring having an inner diameter and an outer diameter said inner diameter defining a central open area said pad having a width equal to the difference between said inner diameter and said outer diameter and wherein said width is from about one-sixth of about one-half of said outer diameter.
 11. The sandpaper ring claimed in claim 10 wherein said ring has an outer diameter having a wavy edge. 